Town of Shutesbury Web Site Policy

See also: Town of Shutesbury Subscribed Email Announcement List Policy

Policy Number 020618, Amended Aug. 23, 2005

Purpose & Goal

The sole and limited purpose of the town's web site is to provide information of a factual nature about the Town of Shutesbury government and provide links to regional council, official state and federal government sites. In establishing and maintaining its official web site, the town does not intend in any manner to create a forum or other means by which public discourse, exchange of opinions, or discussion on issues of any nature may occur. The goals of the web site are to encourage increased citizen awareness by making public information more readily available to them, provide electronic access to town government information through a logical single point of entry (www.Shutesbury.org), and to keep the public informed of local governmental events.

Confidentiality

The Massachusetts Public Records laws apply to information processed on this web site. Confidential information will not be posted on the town's web site. All contents in this web site are public information.

Webmaster

The Selectboard shall appoint a Web Committee and a Webmaster, who is responsible for maintaining the town's web site. All information prepared for posting on the town web site shall be routed through the Webmaster. The Shutesbury Selectboard is the ultimate governing authority of the town's web site policy.

The Webmaster aims to carry out town web policies day-to-day, but is subject to the authority of the Selectboard. These policies may include defining the look and feel of the web site or deciding who may post information on the site. Complaints about any aspect of Web policy should be brought first to the attention of the Webmaster. If a complainant is unsatisfied, he or she may appeal to the Web Committee, then to the Selectboard. The Selectboard reserves the right to make changes to web policy at any time. The Web Committee will review this policy annually at the August meeting.

Links

Only links to Shutesbury governmental services and official state and federal sites will be allowed on the official Town of Shutesbury web site. The town is not responsible for and does not endorse the information on any linked web site unless the town's web site states otherwise.

Disclaimer

The Town of Shutesbury maintains this web site to enhance public access to the town's governmental information. This is a service that is continually under development. While we try to keep the information timely and accurate, we can make no guarantees. We will make an effort to correct errors brought to our attention. Users should be aware that the information available on this web site may not always reflect actual positions of the town.

With respect to documents available from this web site, neither the Town of Shutesbury nor any of its employees assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe on privately owned rights.

Town of Shutesbury Subscribed Email Announcement List Policy

These guidelines will govern the preferred process of using the subscribed email notification system available to all resident and non-resident interested parties, through an option on the town web site, www.shutesbury.org

Subscribed email announcements will comply with the web site policy. The intent of this policy is to maintain full and open disclosure of such announcements and responses to those announcements, and provide reasonable access to those without access to the Internet or email services.

Emails sent out through this system will go to all current subscribers on the list. That list is subject to public record laws and is available to anyone who requests it. The Selectboard designee(s) shall review the mailing before it is distributed. If approved and sent out, a copy will be provided to the Town Clerk, who will post written copies at the Town Hall and the Spear Library. Copies will also be made available on the town web site.

How to send a message out to the Announcement List

The town subscribed email list is maintained by the Web Committee. The Committee encourages the use of the email list to get the word out on items of interest to all town residents. It is an excellent vehicle to put out short-notice info, timely reminders, or helpful tips from your board, committee, or department.

The role of the committee is only to assure the messages get out in a timely manner, and comply with the town website and email policies established by the Select Board.

The web committee will not compose your messages for you. You must create the wording as you wish it to appear.

Submitted emails must comply with the town web policies, and:

must be from a recognized town entity.

must be factual in nature - not attempting to advocate a position or vote.

may announce an event, information, solicit info or assistance, etc.

should be text-only content. (May contain links to government websites.)

To submit your message, send it in an email to web -at- shutesbury.org, and please include the following information:

Subject: (short topic title)

From: (name of entity and/or person providing the information)

Reply to: (valid email address and/or name and telephone number for follow up questions about the message)

Date: (requested broadcast date, if not for immediate announcement)

You may include any questions you have of the webmaster or about the process in the same email. These will be stripped off before rebroadcast, but please clearly separate your questions from the actual content of your message.

Process: The email will be reviewed for compliance. You should plan on checking your email for any questions or requests for clarification from the web committee. If everything is in order, your message will then be rebroadcast to the email list and you'll see your message as it was submitted. This usually occurs within 24 hours.